A Celebration of El Campo – Puerto Rican Countryside Destination Wedding

Writer: Veronica Gonzalez Matos

Updated: July 15

Location: Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

Time of planning: 12 months

Number of guests: 160

Setting: Hacienda

Season: Summer

Wedding Coordination: Island Life Events PR

Alyssa and Yonas’s wedding was an “El Campo”-inspired tropical dream nestled in the lush beauty of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. This destination celebration was not only visually breathtaking, but also rooted in local culture, sustainable sourcing, and a deep appreciation for the land.

Love, Nature, and Connection

Alyssa, a thoughtful and detail-oriented Operations & Supply Chain Manager in the spice industry, and Yonas, a brilliant Product Manager with a warm presence, envisioned a wedding that felt intentional, meaningful, and beautifully in tune with Puerto Rico’s natural richness.

Their day was built around their shared love for food, music, and vibrant culture—with sustainability and Puerto Rican pride at its core. The design emphasized fresh, local elements: from florals to produce, everything told a story.

A Wedding with Roots

In collaboration with a local agricultural consultant, we worked closely to source all fruits, vegetables, and flowers used in the design from Puerto Rican land. The planning team and vendor partners even visited la finca de Doña Rosita in Moca, where they hand-picked many of the blooms and centerpiece fruits used throughout the event.

The bride’s bouquet was a true work of art—crafted using fragrant azucenas (lilies) grown by the renowned flower cultivator from Santurce, a legendary figure in the world of Puerto Rican floriculture. These aromatic white lilies, native and nearly exclusive to the island, were a deeply symbolic and elegant choice.

In honor of Alyssa’s profession in the spice world, elements of Puerto Rican achiote (annatto) were subtly incorporated into the wedding décor and detail elements. Alyssa even harvests achiote herself, so this inclusion added a unique and personal layer to the celebration.

The Floral Spectacle

The floral palette was a bold celebration of island flora:

• Torch gingers in white and pink

• Sexy pink and velvet heliconias

• Banana bunches and banana flowers

• Pepitas de coco (coconut husks)

• Tropical greens such as arecas and palmas

Together, they created a setting that felt more like a tropical botanical exhibition than a wedding—lush, organic, and absolutely stunning.

We hope future couples draw inspiration from Alyssa and Yonas’s vision, proving that Puerto Rico offers everything needed for a wedding that is as ethical as it is exquisite.

A Feast of the Land

The menu was a true farm-to-table experience, highlighting the best of Puerto Rican harvests:

• Yautía and hoja wraps from Salvador Coleman, Finca Caribe (Yabucoa)

• Breadfruit (panas) from Don Benjamín (San Sebastián)

• Lechón (pork) from La Ceba

• Fish caught by Tommy Forte

• Chicken from To Rrico

• Beef from Hacienda Alvarado

• Pumpkin from Don Bilin (Moca)

• Coconut from Billares del Este (Río Grande)

Each bite carried the flavors of the island and the work of its farmers. The culinary team transformed these ingredients into dishes that not only nourished, but also told a story.

The wedding cake was made by the incredible sweet masters at Eat Dunda. A unique and decadent creation, it featured a moist orange and olive oil base filled with luscious papaya compote. The cake was frosted with a rich toasted butter icing and decorated with non-toxic edible flowers, all locally grown at El Josco Bravo, Proyecto Finca Culinaria in the town of Canóvanas, Puerto Rico. It was a stunning and delicious tribute to Puerto Rico’s bounty.

Final Notes

From the thoughtful sourcing to the vibrant atmosphere, Alyssa and Yonas’s wedding was a celebration of love rooted in the land and culture of Puerto Rico. Their day reminds us that destination weddings can be both luxurious and sustainable, personal and communal.

If you're dreaming of your own Puerto Rican wedding, our team would love to help you bring your vision to life—from creative planning to culturally rich design.

Let’s create something beautiful together. 🌿💍

Island Life Events - Puerto RicoPlanners + Designers + Creative Studio📞 939-222-9549📧 ileventspr@gmail.com

Book your complimentary 30-minute consultation today!